Holistic Treatment for Reflux and Colic in Babies

A number of our readers requested to hear more about a holistic approach to treating babies with colic and reflux. Since drugs are often not the answer to treat these common symptoms in babies, another method is usually necessary. Fortunately, a holistic treatment plan could provide relief for these babies and ultimately resolves their symptoms. We've compiled a list of steps taken from The Holistic Baby Guide By Randall Neustaedter, OMD

1. Solve feeding issues. The first step is to address any feeding problems that may contribute to your baby's discomfort. This includes breastfeeding problems and other physical issues.

2. Stay close. Try comforting your baby with constant holding and carrying, perhaps aided by using a sling.

3. Address food sensitivities. Your baby may be sensitive to foods that she's eating. Breastfed babies are often sensitive to the foods that their moms have eaten. Eliminating those foods may ease a lot of symptoms.

4. Get professional assistance. Seek holistic pediatric care and treatment with herbs and other nutritional supplements. Chiropractic care and acupuncture can also be helpful in establishing balance in your baby's system and relieving discomfort.

Conventional medical treatment for reflux typically includes drugs that inhibit gastric-acid production. The theory is that if stomach-acid production is blocked, then acid will not irritate the stomach and esophagus. However, stomach acid is there for a reason-to help in digestion and to inhibit harmful bacteria.

The holistic treatment of reflux and digestive disturbances may involve one or more interventions. These can be put in place one at a time, in succession, or more than one can be started simultaneously. The most effective methods, discussed here, include probiotics, herbal treatment, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and homeopathy.

Establish a Healthy Gut Environment. Since reflux and other digestive symptoms such as gas and diarrhea manifest in the gut of sensitive babies, the first step in treatment is to create the healthiest digestive tract possible. Digestion requires adequate intestinal bacteria colonies that gradually develop in the newborn and infant. Your newborn has no intestinal bacteria prior to birth. After exposure to the birth canal, the mother's skin, and breast milk, the gut is colonized with the normal flora necessary for digestion and maintenance of healthy intestinal function. If a healthy gut flora is not established or if babies are treated with antibiotics that destroy these valuable organisms, then digestion of milk will not go smoothly. Since we don't know when and if a baby has developed healthy bacterial colonies, any baby with digestive symptoms should be given live bacteria as a supplement to ensure a healthy gut ecology.

A supplement containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species is indicated for distressed babies. Babies who are solely breastfed have colonies of Bifidobacterium species, but these bacteria may be deficient due to antibiotics given to mothers or babies or for other reasons. Special supplemental formulas of these bacteria are made for the breastfeeding baby to take on a daily basis.

Professional Assistance to Relieve Symptoms. The mainstays for relief of these digestive symptoms in holistic pediatrics are herbal formulas and homeopathic medicines. Chinese medicine interprets reflux and colic as food stagnation and a weakness of the Stomach/Spleen energetic systems, which are responsible for digestion and assimilation of nutrients. The energy of the Stomach moves down. When a weakness or disturbance occurs, then Stomach Qi will move up, producing reflux and vomiting. The Spleen energy system is responsible for digestion and the movement of fluids in the body. The Spleen also generates Nutritive Qi, which nourishes and provides the energetic foundation for other body systems, including the body's defenses (Wei Qi) and immune function.

Chinese medicine provides tools for directly strengthening the digestive system (the Stomach/Spleen network) using herbs and acupuncture. The primary herbal formula for digestive disturbance in babies is Grow and Thrive (produced by Chinese Medicine Works), a nutritive tonic that promotes the assimilation of nutrients and the movement of food through the intestines. This formula was designed to strengthen and support proper digestive function. A secondary herbal formula for reflux and colicky symptoms is Tummy Tamer (Chinese Medicine Works). This formula regulates the function of the digestive system, activating and dispersing the stomach and intestines to move food smoothly along.

Since discomfort and distress in infants is often due to stagnation of food and insufficient movement of food through the digestive tract, a dispersing formula will help to move things along. Other ingredients dispel the accumulation of toxins from food stuck in the stomach and intestines.

Several Western herbal formulas have also been used for the symptoms of reflux or colic. A popular tea containing chamomile, fennel, vervain, licorice, and balm mint was evaluated in a randomized, controlled clinical study and shown to significantly improve the symptoms associated with colic compared to placebo.

Gripe water is a generic name for several Western herb formulas that contain a combination of fennel, ginger, peppermint, and chamomile. Organic forms of gripe water do not contain additives. These herbs do aid digestion and help calm fussy babies, but Chinese herbal formulas will also strengthen and build digestive function to provide a curative treat-ment that tends to prevent recurrences of symptoms.

Acupuncture is an extremely useful adjunct to other treatment modalities for babies with reflux. Stimulation of acupuncture points can be accomplished with needles or non-needle techniques including finger pressure, cold lasers, magnets, or massage of acupuncture channels. Acupuncture is an excellent tool for moving energy, and that is just what your baby needs. Acupuncture will help move energy down, readjust your baby's energy balance, and strengthen Stomach Qi so that food moves downward. In the traditional understanding of energy systems, acupuncture relieves the stagnation of food and the upward surging energy of stomach contents, and calms the crampy discomfort of irritated intestines. Acupuncture is a unique and indispensable tool for readjusting the flow of food through your baby's digestive tract while you're using herbs to strengthen digestive function.

Typical acupuncture treatment will focus on the Spleen and Stomach channels and may include others, depending on the symptoms involved. The points Stomach 36 and 37 and Spleen 6 are standbys. But many other points on a variety of channels can be utilized depending on the presenting symptoms. Tui na acupressure massage and sho ni shin massage are especially valuable treatment options for infants, and they do not require the use of needles. Your acupuncturist can show you safe and effective methods of acupressure to use at home with your baby.

A baby with persistent crying, distress, and reflux symptoms should be evaluated for structural problems by a chiropractic or osteopathic physician who specializes in children. There are many possible causes of structural abnormalities that could contribute to reflux symptoms. Typically, birth trauma occurs from pulling on the head and rotating the neck. This can occur because of mothers lying on their backs during birth, mothers given drugs that slow the birth process, or cesarean sections that require pulling on the baby to extract her from the uterus. This brute force results in tension in and torsion (twisting) of the upper spine and neck. However, even babies born without these sorts of interventions can suffer physical stress during the birthing process that results in spinal injury. Spinal misalignment can be caused by birth trauma or an injury that occurs sometime after the birth.

These misalignments can also be caused by positioning problems initiated in utero, creating postural deviations, such as a baby persistently holding her head in one direction. Chiropractors often attribute the arching of the back seen in babies with reflux to these spinal-cord stress injuries. Chiropractic adjustments will release this tension. Babies may be tender and resistant to touch and pressure on their necks at first, but after a few treatments they become much more settled and relaxed.

An interrelationship exists between the nervous system and the immune system. Problems in your baby's spine and spinal cord can result in immune-system dysfunction as well as digestive disturbance. Alleviating this spinal stress can allow further healing and the re-establishment of balance in the immune system as well. Whatever the cause, having your baby checked and treated with gentle chiropractic adjustments will eliminate spinal structural problems as a possible contributing cause of her crying.

Whereas Chinese medicine and chiropractic require professional help, you can utilize homeopathy yourself-though seeing a qualified homeopath can help with more intransigent problems. The synergistic effect of homeopathy in combination with herbs facilitates the healing process. Where chiropractic corrects structural problems and Chinese medicine corrects the energetic imbalance, homeopathy provides a profound energetic stimulus to healing. When you address the nutritional components of symptom production as well, the overall holistic effect covers all bases and produces a dramatic curative process.

To find the correct homeopathic medicine, compare your baby's symptoms to the cluster of symptoms described for each medicine. Find the description that matches your baby the best, and try using that one. For persistent or prolonged symptoms, it would be best to consult a professional homeopath, who can treat the underlying constitution and root causes of the energetic disturbance that causes colic and reflux.

The homeopathic medicine most often indicated on an acute level is Colocynth, especially if your baby seems better when you press on her abdomen. Jalapa is a colic medicine for babies who cry all night and sleep during the day. Lycopodium is used primarily when gas symptoms are prominent and when the late afternoon and evening (four to eight p.m.) are your baby's worst time of day. Nux vomica corresponds to an exceedingly irritable baby who is worse in the mornings.

When feeding problems and digestive symptoms persist beyond the first few months, if babies continue to spit up large amounts of milk, throw up solids, or continue to scream with abdominal pain that keeps them up at night, then they may require a different treatment regimen than infants.

The first issue to consider is the type of solids that babies are eating. Grains fed at too early an age can cause significant prob¬lems. I recommend that you keep all grains, including rice cereal and oatmeal, out of your baby's diet until at least twelve months (and longer if she is having any allergic or digestive symptoms). Wheat is especially difficult for babies to handle, and it should be avoided in any baby with symptoms. Similarly, dairy products can cause allergies and sensitivities and can damage the intestines of babies. Wait until ten to twelve months for any dairy products. Then you can try yogurt and cheese. Wait until eighteen to twenty-four months before giving whole cow's milk unless your baby must have formula. Babies need the fat of whole dairy products and not reduced-fat preparations.

Older babies may benefit from having specific tests to pinpoint the issues that underlie digestive symptoms. A comprehensive stool test that examines digestive-enzyme production, inflammatory markers, intestinal bacteria, and yeast cultures can be informative and lead to appropriate treatment. Babies with an overgrowth of yeast (Candida albicans) may benefit from supplements including Saccharomyces boulardii (a strain of yeast that helps estab¬lish normal intestinal flora) and a medium-chain triglyceride oil supplement that contains caprylic acid, a potent antifungal fatty acid. Many babies need some additional digestive-enzyme support.

If inflammation is a problem, then the amino acid glutamine in powder form has a potent regenerative effect on the intestinal lining. Glutamine benefits the growth of rapidly dividing cells, providing the nutrition required for the synthesis of new RNA and DNA so that cells can multiply. This is vital for maintaining a healthy lining within the digestive tract, where cells have a rapid turnover rate. When there is digestive inflammation, there is an increased need for glutamine for cell repair and replacement.

It is important for children with digestive inflammation to also take adequate amounts of omega-3 fats for their anti-inflammatory effect (fish oil is the most accessible source of these fats). Older children with digestive problems need a broad-spectrum probiotic that includes a variety of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species. Other nutritional supplements may be needed for healthy digestive function, including pantothenic acid, zinc, hydrochloric acid, and prebiotics, depending on the judgment of a holistic pediatric practitioner.

These children may have food allergies and food sensitivities. Depending on the child's symptoms, a range of food-sensitivity tests can be informative. Often these children have a sensitivity to wheat products (including the proteins in gluten, primarily gliadin). Other grains contain gluten as well. Cow's milk proteins are also irritating to many children's digestive tracts.

For these children, the protein molecules cause damage to the intestinal lining, disturbing the intestinal barrier and allowing potential allergens into the bloodstream. These foreign proteins then stimulate antibody production and allergic reactions in other parts of the body. This is the beginning of the process that leads to allergies in so many children. For this reason, healing the gut is essential to maintaining a healthy immune system.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This article is an excerpt from Dr. Neustaedter's new book, The Holistic Baby Guide which offers simple and natural remedies for treating the symptoms of common ailments. It also provides a fully integrated plan for building your baby's immune system to prevent chronic medical problems and ensure your baby's good health.

This guide offers holistic solutions for:

* Relieving colic, reflux, and other worrisome digestive problems
* Healing eczema, cradle cap, and diaper rash
* Treating acute illnesses such as fevers, colds, and ear infections
* Resolving allergies and asthma
* Strengthening your baby's immune system


At A Mother's Haven, we offer an Infant Massage class that is proven to reduce colic and improve digestion among other attributes. Please contact us about our next workshop by calling 818.380.3111 or emailing info@shopthehaven.com. Gripe Water, which is a safe and effective all natural herbal supplement, is also available at A Mother's Haven. You can place an order on our website or come pick one up at our Encino location.

We also encourage you to follow whatever steps feel natural and comfortable for you and your child. It's important and beneficial to consult with your baby's pediatrician on any and all medical, physical, and emotional concerns regarding your child.

Is your child ready for preschool?

Finding a good preschool for your child can seem like an overwhelming process but before you even begin the search, you must ask yourself - Is my child ready?

So how do you know? There are no set guidelines. But there are a few things to consider or assess before conducting your search for the perfect preschool.

Is your child fairly independent?

Preschool requires children to have certain basic skills. Some may even require your child to be potty-trained while others may be willing to help with the process. They may expect your child to be able to take care of some other basic needs, like washing his hands after painting, eating his lunch without assistance, and sleeping alone. It is important your child feels comfortable performing certain tasks on his own. Not sure how to start? With most kids, praise goes a long way - compliment each achievement to help build their self esteem.

Has your child spent time away from you?

If your child has been cared for by a babysitter or a relative, she might be better prepared to separate from you when she's at preschool. Kids who are used to being apart from their parents often have an easier time adjusting with little to no separation anxiety. If your child hasn't had many opportunities to be away from you, it might be a good idea to schedule some — a weekend with the grandparents, for instance, or a day with their aunt or cousins. Regardless of their separation issue, many children leave Mom or Dad for the first time to go to preschool and they do just fine. The trick is to help your child adjust in short doses. Many preschools will allow you to drop off your child for an hour or two during her first few days there to help get used to her environment, until you can gradually work up to a full day. This is a great way to help get them ready when they eventual move to kindergarten.

Does your child have self discipline?

Preschool usually involves circle time which requires kids to sit for a significant period of time just listening, or participating in an orderly fashion. There is also lots of arts and crafts projects that require concentration and the ability to focus on an individual task. If your child likes to draw at home or gets engrossed in puzzles and other activities on his own, he might be ready to take on this challenge. But even if he's the kind of child who asks for help with everything, you can start getting him ready by setting up play times where he can entertain himself for a half hour or so. While you wash the dishes, encourage him to figure out ways to be creative on his own - like making shapes and creatures out of clay, etc. Gradually build up to longer stretches of solo play so that he'll get on with his own without too much hand-holding from you.

Is your child able to participate in group activities?

Other than circle time, many of the play and learn projects in preschool require group participation. If your child isn't used to group activities, you can start introducing them yourself. Take him to story time at your local library or bookstore, or sign him up for a class such as Kindermusik or Tiny Dancer to help him get used to playing with other children.

Does your child keep a regular schedule?

Preschools tend to follow a predictable routine - circle time, play time, snack, playground, then lunch. There's a good reason for this. Children tend to feel most comfortable, secure and in control when the same things happen at the same time each day. So if your child doesn't keep to a schedule and each day is different from the last, help him standardize his days a bit before he starts preschool. You can start by offering meals on a regular timetable and creating realistic routines you can stick to such as a bedtime ritual - dinner,bath, reading books, then bed - or whatever works for you.

Does your child possess the physical and emotional endurance for preschool?

Whether it's a half-day or full-day program, preschool can be quite demanding and time consuming. There are art projects to do, field trips to take, and playgrounds to explore. Does your child thrive in these types of activities, or does she have trouble moving from one thing to the next without getting cranky? Another thing to consider is how and when your child needs to nap. Preschools usually schedule nap time after lunch. If she still needs a mid-morning snooze, you might want to give her more time. You can work toward building her stamina by making sure she gets a good night's sleep. If you have some flexibility in your schedule, you might also consider start her off in a half-day program to ease her into this new regime, and gradually increase the length of her school day as she gets more adjusted.

What are your main reasons for wanting to send your child to preschool?

Carefully consider your goals for sending your child to preschool. What need are you looking to fulfill - Going back to work? Need time for yourself? Looking for social and academic outlet for your child? There may be other options if it seems he isn't ready yet for the rigors of school. A good daycare facility or a qualified caregiver may be a good alternative until you feel confident your child is on board.

If you find that your child seems eager to learn new things and explore, he isn't getting enough stimulation at home or daycare, or he seems ready to broaden his social horizons and interact with other children, chances are it's the perfect time to start school.

Most importantly, make a point to talk to your partner and/or child about the different options. Their input will likely affect your decision. Good luck and enjoy the journey!

To learn more about the classes offered at A Mother's Haven, please visit our website. You can also contact us by calling 818.380.3111 or emailing info@shopthehaven.com

Featured Staff - Terri O'Donnell

Our next interview is with Terri O'Donnell - Manager Extraordinaire!
You all may know Terri as the "mom" of the store since she's the go-to person for everything ranging from classes to nursing bras to carriers! Terri is a master of keeping things running smoothly and under control here at A Mother's Haven and we're so grateful to have her here!

What do you think makes A Mother's Haven different from other baby boutiques?
It's more than a store - it's really an educational center with incredible customer service. Our classes take you from pregnancy to the first few years of your child's life so it's an incredible resource for moms and families in general.

What would you say is the best part about working at A Mother's Haven?
I love the feeling of knowing you've helped someone. Working at A Mother's Haven really gives you the chance to make a difference in someone's life. Often new moms come in here confused and scared of the unknown and it's so rewarding to be able to ease those fears and be able to alleviate whatever stress or challenge they're going through. There's also just a general happy atmosphere here - a sense of new beginnings.

AMH: What is your philosophy on birth and parenting?
Do what works for you. There's no outline for parenting and every child is as different as you and I. Don't stress and do what feels right from the heart.

AMH: How would you describe yourself in 5 words or less?
Caring, compassionate, funny, diligent...

AMH: What inspires you?
Nothing. OK, you can add 'uninspired' to my list of 5 words. (She laughs)
I guess you could say I'm a fixer, I like to create - whether it's cooking or something artistic... I'm inspired by opportunities that allow me to be creative.

AMH: How do you stay current on everything at the store? Any outside research?
Osmosis? Honestly, I like getting feedback from customers about products that work for them - that way I feel comfortable recommending it to others. I'll also go online and research products a customer will mention to learn more about what's new.

AMH: What products/resources would you recommend to new or expecting moms?
Our Mothers' Gathering class is definitely the best thing I'd recommend to new moms. It's a lifesaver. Product wise, I think the Moby Wrap is fantastic and the Aden & Anais blankets are incredible!

AMH: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
That I have seven grandchildren! (Daughter Jamie has 3 kids, and daughter Mandi has 4.)

AMH: Favorite hobby? pastime?
I love musical theater! Les Miserables is my favorite. I also really enjoy reading novels. A recent favorite is The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.

AMH: Favorite spot in LA?
Newport Beach. I love the atmosphere, the beach, people watching, shopping - it's very relaxing. I would spend every weekend there if I could.

AMH: Favorite place to travel?
I enjoy seeing new places. Next on my list are Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Italy... Let's just say Europe.

AMH: Favorite advice to give new/expecting moms?
This too will pass! Truthfully, every stage is incredible and yet a big pain in the butt. You can't wait for your baby to start walking and then when they do, you have to chase them around and think 'why can't they just sit still?' You can't wait for them to start talking, and then they won't stop. You get the idea. But all those moments are what makes the journey of motherhood so amazing.

*******************************************************************************

Terri O'Donnell began her career in customer service while still a student in high school. After spending 5 years as a sales manager at Staples (where she was ranked #18 in over 3000 stores!), Terri was ready to leave the corporate world behind and find her new home. She's been enjoying helping moms and babies at A Mother's Haven for over 5 years and we're proud to have her as a member of our AMH family.

You can learn more about A Mother's Haven on our website. To contact us, please call 818.380.3111 or email us at info@shopthehaven.com

Check out some of our other Featured Instructor and Staff interviews:

Synthia Praglin - teaches Mothers' Gathering

Lauren Ryan - teaches Supported Birth and Caring For Your Newborn

Danielle Brooks - teaches Mothers' Gathering

Danielle Vorzimer - teaches Mothers' Gathering

Kara Rose Dragun - teaches Breastfeeding 101, Kindermusik and Tiny Dancer

Jill Campbell - teaches Mother's Gathering

Leslye Adelman - teaches the Prepared Childbirth One-Day Intensives, the Breastfeeding 101 prenatal workshops, and the Caring For Your Newborn prenatal workshops. She also facilitates our weekly Breastfeeding Support Group, and is available for private Lactation Consults

Product of The Week - Cloud B Twilight Turtle & Ladybug

Go to sleep under a starry night sky! The award-winning Twilight Turtle and Twilight Ladybug make bedtime fun for children of all ages. These constellation nightlights are the perfect bedtime companions.

Twilight Turtle and Twilight Ladybug by Cloud B are the first and only plush constellation nightlights ever created. They come with three soothing color options green, blue, and amber, each illuminating different brightness levels, creating magical, tranquil environments that help children peacefully drift off to dreamland. Not just for the avid stargazer, these adorable and unique celestial night lights gently transform nurseries and bedrooms into a starry night sky that comfort and calm children and adults alike.

Twilight Turtle & Twilight Ladybug are more than just a soothing bedtime companion, they are also an interactive and educational toy. Within the star pattern are 8 actual constellations. Children will be excited to learn and identify these major constellations using the wonderfully illustrated Twilight Turtle & Twilight Ladybug Star Guide.

This highly popular item, is a perfect gift for all ages. Float away in peaceful slumber under Twilight Turtle's or Twilight Ladybug's beautiful star-filled sky.

A Mother's Haven also carries the Twilight Sea Turtle by Cloud B. This fun and educational toy is designed to help children sleep easier and also help bring awareness to endangered sea animals. Twilight Sea Turtle's beautiful shell illuminates in three soothing colors while also highlighting five endangered sea friends - the Blue Whale, California Sea Otter, Knysna Seahorse, Leatherback Turtle and Vaquita Dolphin. The Twilight Storybook includes a Twilight Sea Turtle story which teaches children about endangered sea animals, a helpful Star Guide and an adoption certificate.

Cloud B makes a variety of soothing sleep companions, such as the Sleep Sheep, the compact Sleep Sheep On The Go, and the Gentle Giraffe On The Go that conveniently soothe and calm even the fussiest babies to sleep.

For more information about any of our products or to place an order please go to our website. You can also contact us by calling 818.380.3111 or emailing info@shopthehaven.com

The importance of eating eggs during pregnancy by Lauren Ryan

We had a discussion in my last childbirth class on eggs.  It is recommended that pregnant women eat 2 eggs a day.  Why are eggs so important?  Eggs are a great source of protein, provide 13 minerals and vitamins and are the most concentrated food source of choline.   Choline helps brain cells develop properly and may affect a baby’s ability to learn and remember.  Choline also helps protect babies against neural tube defects.  Another added bonus is that choline may help a pregnant woman’s brainpower.   Pregnant women need 450mg of choline per day and breastfeeding women need 550mg per day. 
Here is a breakdown of other food sources that contain choline besides eggs:

1/2 cup spinach: 240 mg
1 hard-boiled egg: 113 mg
1 medium potato: 105 mg
3 ounces boneless pork loin chop: 84 mg
1 cup cooked navy beans: 81 mg 
3 ounces roasted chicken leg: 73 mg
3 ounces cod: 71 mg
3 ounces tilapia: 71 mg
3 ounces lean ground beef patty: 63 mg
3 ounces chicken breast: 60 mg
3 ounces sockeye salmon: 55 mg
1/2 cup cooked soybeans: 41 mg
1/2 cup cooked lima beans: 30 mg
2 tablespoons toasted wheat germ: 26 mg
1/ 2 cup cauliflower, raw or cooked: 24 mg
1/2 cup cooked spinach: 23 mg
1/4 cup pistachios: 20 mg
1/4 cup cashews: 21 mg

Lecithin is found in prenatal vitamins, which contains choline so most women are already getting some choline. 
What was interesting and slightly disturbing about this discussion is the lack of information OB's are giving their patients about nutrition in pregnancy.  OB's are focusing on what pregnant women shouldn't eat, which is a good thing, but not giving them guidance on what they should eat.  I cover nutrition in about 15 minutes in class and ask the women to do a food journal so they can be very aware of the amount of protein they are eating (which is 80-100 grams per day).  If you're pregnant, please make sure to have a discussion about nutrition with your OB early on.

***********************************************************************************

Lauren Ryan, CSBE (Certified Supported Birth Educator) and a SBLD (Supported Birth Labor Doula) teaches our Supported Birth and Caring For Your Newborn classes.

For more information about all of classes, feel free to check out our website. A Mother's Haven is centrally located in Encino and is easily accessible to all residents of the Los Angeles area. We also ship items all across the US. To contact us, feel free to call 818.380.3111 or email us at info@shopthehaven.com.

Encouraging your child to talk

One of the best things about having a toddler is watching, and listening, as their language develops. They go from making sweet little goos and gahs, to being able to carry on a small conversation with you. Parents often tell us that talking with their kids is one of their most favorite things to do.

So how do you help support their speech development...

Talking with your child often, from the time they are very young and with lots of eye contact is how they will learn language the best. They'll start by mimicking and repeating and will want to talk back.

Scrap the baby talk, especially after the age of about 6-9 months when they start developing their first sounds. Use your regular grown up voices, and chances are they'll learn to communicate as effectively as you.

Since babies this young often get frustrated easily by not being able to express themselves, taking a sign language for babies class is an effective solution for many parents. They enrich parent-infant bond further enabling communication and interaction.

Try limiting pacifier use to nap and night time so when your tot is awake and active, they can also be verbal.

Ask Questions. Even if they don’t know the answer, or can’t verbalize it, they'll learn from hearing you tell them the answer and possibly repeat it. Most importantly, it includes them in the conversation, and allows them the opportunity to proactively interact with you.

Repeat words and sounds. Take the time to do so with some encouragement. When they try to say, “mmma,” you can say, “Mama, that’s right, mama.” Or as they get better at talking and they say, “Me do it!” feel free to say, “You want to do it? Okay, great, you do it.” This encourages them to hear and learn the correct way to pronounce words, not to mention, correct grammer.

Sing with them. Often kids can pick up the sounds in songs, or rhymes, earlier than they can pick up other words. Classes such as Kindermusik that encourage speech and movement through music stimulate all areas of child development.

We offer a variety of pre and post natal classes at A Mother's Haven to help you adjust and make a smooth transition into your rewarding new role as a mom.

To check out our class schedule and learn more about Kindermusik please visit our website. You can also register for a free preview class using our online registration page!

You can also register for our Sign Language for babies class online.

To contact us with any questions, please call us at 818.380.3111 or email us at info@shopthehaven.com

Instructor Feature - An Interview with Lauren Ryan

We hope that you're enjoying finding out more about our incredible instructors at A Mother's Haven Boutique & Educational Center. We are so thankful to have them here to teach all of our moms & babies and to create our wonderful community!

Our next interview is with Lauren Ryan who teaches our Supported Birth and Caring For Your Newborn classes.

Supported Birth is a four week course that educates women and their partners in making conscious choices about the birth of their baby with the help of technical knowledge, confidence in the natural biological process of birth, self exploration, and a variety of coping tools and techniques.

Caring For Your Newborn is a 3 hour class held once a month on a sturday that teaches expecting parents the essential skills they'll need to take care of their new baby in this fun, informative, hands-on environment.

AMH: Lauren, what can expecting moms learn or get from your classes?
Lauren: In Supported Birth – Couples will learn about stages of labor, nutrition, medical interventions, drugs, cesareans, and postpartum issues. More importantly, moms will learn relaxation techniques and explore fears they might have about giving birth. Couples will feel much more prepared and confident about giving birth. Supported Birth teaches couples that there is no “right” way to give birth, which empowers the couple.
In Caring For Your Newborn – couples will learn all about what to expect from their newborn – appearance, newborn procedures, bathing, diapering, dressing, swaddling, holding, soothing and a lot more. It’s meant to make them feel at ease by what can be an an overwhelming procedure while taking away some of the anxiety of the unknown.

AMH: What is your philosophy on birth and parenting?
Lauren: I think it is important for a woman to give birth the way she wants to and do what feel right to her. With parenting, I believe parents need to hold their babies (not haul them around in a car seat when they are not in the car) and talk to them – this makes them smart. Also, parents need to forgive themselves for not being “perfect” and relax.

AMH: How would you describe yourself in 5 words or less?
Lauren: Positive, laid back, friendly, authentic, energetic

AMH: What inspires you?
Lauren: I’m inspired to help make birth a positive experience. If a woman has a baby in a hospital she is not going there because she is sick. She is going there because it is a safe option to give birth in. Laboring women should not be treated as a patient. Caregivers need to treat birth as a natural event and take out unnecessary interventions.

AMH: How do you stay current in your field?
Lauren: I read articles pertaining to pregnancy/childbirth/newborns on sites like Medscape and Mayo Clinic. I am involved in several “networking” groups geared towards childbearing woman that I have learned so much from. Also, I love to read so I stay current with books on pregnancy, labor and newborns. My work as a doula keeps me very up to date on practices going on within hospitals so I can give my students insight into what their hospital experience may be like.

AMH: What products/resources would you recommend to new or expecting moms?
Lauren: I love wraps. They are the best way to carry your baby around. Babies can hear your heartbeat so it calms them down and moms have 2 free hands. Wraps also protect their baby from the rest of the world.

AMH: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Lauren: I still love roller coasters and going to Hurricane Harbor in the summer.

AMH: Favorite hobby? pastime?
Lauren: I love to read, ride my bike, and play games and watch movies with my family.

AMH: Favorite spot in LA?
Lauren: The old farmers market on Fairfax and the Grove. The farmer’s market has the most amazing food and the Grove is great for people watching.

AMH: Favorite place to travel?
Lauren: Any place tropical with beaches and warm water.

AMH: What is the best advice you've ever gotten?
Lauren: When people (strangers especially) tell you what you are doing wrong with your baby just smile, say thank you and walk away. I would get angry with people but my husband taught me to let it go.

AMH: Favorite advice to give new/expecting moms?
Lauren: Take a childbirth class independent of a hosptial. Get help from friends and family after the baby is born. Tell them what you need – meals, errands, house cleaned, etc. If anyone wants to come visit you and the baby make sure they can help you out in some way.


Lauren Ryan, CSBE (Certified Supported Birth Educator) and a SBLD (Supported Birth Labor Doula) teaches our Supported Birth and Caring For Your Newborn classes. When she was pregnant with her daughter in 2000, she took Supported Birth childbirth education classes and felt incredibly empowered about giving birth after it. When her teacher approached her in 2003 about getting trained as an educator, she was already interested so jumped at the chance to be able provide support for moms like herself. A couple of years later, she yearned to expand her knowledge and so became a labor doula in 2006 and now specializes in the third trimester of pregnancy to one month old infants.

Check out some of our other Featured Instructor and Staff interviews:

Synthia Praglin - teaches Mothers' Gathering

Terri O'Donnell - Store Manager

Danielle Brooks - teaches Mothers' Gathering

Danielle Vorzimer - teaches Mothers' Gathering

Kara Rose Dragun - teaches Breastfeeding 101, Kindermusik and Tiny Dancer

Jill Campbell - teaches Mother's Gathering

Leslye Adelman - teaches the Prepared Childbirth One-Day Intensives, the Breastfeeding 101 prenatal workshops, and the Caring For Your Newborn prenatal workshops. She also facilitates our weekly Breastfeeding Support Group, and is available for private Lactation Consults

You can learn more about Supported Birth and Caring For Your Newborn classes on our website. For more information about Lauren, feel free to also check out the Supported Birth website.

Finding The Right Caregiver For Your Child

Are you going back to work or just need an extra pair of hands to help around the house? Here are some points to consider when looking for a caregiver to you child.

First and foremost, this is one area you shouldn't compromise on — your child deserves the best caregiver you can find, so be prepared for a long search. You'll need to be patient and resourceful, consulting everyone from friends and family to nanny agencies about possible candidates. It's important to get recommendations from whoever you choose to hire regardless of where you get them from, so you can get a sense of their interactions with others who are in a similar situation to yours.

To start, you'll need to identify your priorities - what are your specific requirements. Consider talking to your partner about what your ideal sitter or nanny would be like. Would it be someone older or younger? Starting our or more experienced? Is a degree in early childhood education important to you? Make a list you can refer to when you start interviewing applicants or talking to nanny agencies.

Next, do your research. Get the word out to friends and family. Being able to get references from someone you know will be the most reassuring. If you belong to any mommy groups, or attend parenting classes such as Mommy and Me and more - they would be a great resource to ask. You can also post an ad in local online message/bulletin/job boards like craigslist, or ones more specific to parenthood.

If you'd like to try out the pros, you can visit nanny referral sites such as Care.com, sittercity.com, enannysource.com, aupaircare.com or nanny.com to find ones in your area. You can do a specific search for locations, wages, gender, languages, etc. - so you can be as choosy as you'd like. These online nanny referral services post listings from parents and prospective nannies are less costly than local agencies, but not free. Fees range from $30 to $500, depending on how long you keep your listing active and the type of service you need but the basics usually include helpful guidelines and forms, with background checks available for additional fees. You can also try websites such as nannynetwork.com which are clearinghouses for many online agencies and offer helpful guidelines and forms, as well as information about taxes and any special offers available from its members.

Once you are ready to set up interviews, talk to as many applicants as you can. Ask specific questions about their work experience and childrearing philosophies as well as personal habits and background. Be sure to include your child when you meet with candidates so you can see how the they interact. This can be very telling. Trust your gut. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

When you've narrowed down your top candidates, make sure to call their references. Ask former employers about the nanny's strengths and weaknesses and why they're no longer using her. It's important to know how this person has and hasn't worked out for other families.

If you're still contemplating, ask your favorite contenders to come to your home one at a time for a few days' trial run. Pay each for their time and observe how they interact with your child. Try leaving for a short period of time to give your child minimal time alone and gage their reaction when you come back. This will not only help reassure your child but you as well.

Here are some sample questions you can ask when interviewing caregivers:

* How long have you been a nanny?

* How old were the other children you cared for?

* Do you have any formal early childhood development or childcare training?

* Do you have emergency training? CPR/First Aid?

* If not, would you be willing to take CPR classes and first-aid training?

* What would you do if my child was sick or had an accident?

* Would you mind if I ran a background check on you?

* Describe your discipline technique?

* What has been your biggest challenge on the job?

* what is your favorite thing about being a caregiver?

* Describe your ideal family/employer

* What are some of the rules you've followed in other households that you think worked well?

* Would you be willing to follow my rules and disciplining/comforting strategies even if they're different from yours?

* What type of activities do you like to do with children?

* If I'm working in the house, will you be able to keep my child happily occupied without involving me?

* Do you have future plans (school, job, marriage, etc.) that would put a limit on how long you expect to be a nanny?

* Do you have a well-functioning car, with appropriate safety belts and room for car seats?

* Are you willing to do light chores while our baby is sleeping? Which ones?

* When would you be able to start working?

* Would you be available to work evenings or weekends?

* Would you be available to travel with our family for weekends/vacations?



If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us via email at info@shopthehaven.com, or call us at 818.380.3111

For more information about A Mother's Haven feel free to check out our website. You can also follow us on facebook and twitter!

Product Highlight - The Daphne Bath seat

Known as the perfect tub insert, the Daphne makes bathing newborns easy while teaching infants the love of water. The Daphne is ideal for newborns, preemies, and twins. It is highly versatile, fitting in most bathtubs and sinks for those little body parts. Its shape helps with the flow of water behind the baby, helping to make the bath a more enjoyable experience. Since babies are perfectly snug in this body contouring bath seat, they can't wiggle around and slip but can happily kick their legs and splash with their hands while sitting in the tub.

Product Features

* Pediatrician designed and recommended
* Recommended use from birth to 8 months or (max. Wt.17 lbs/28" tall)
* Comfortable, anatomically designed to fit the contours of baby's body
* Adjustable slide-stop follows the growth of the baby
* The shape of the seat allows water to flow behind the baby.
* Baby's head is well supported.
* Strong suction cups prevent bath seat from slipping & give it stability
* Can be used in most bathtubs and sinks
* Not suitable for Non Slip surfaces

The Thermobaby Daphne is available at A Mother's Haven. To order your Daphne online, please feel free to visit our website or calling us at 818.380.3111.

Free Kindermusik Preview class

Kindermusik is a community of families and teachers passionately committed to bringing music to children's lives while incorporating the most current research on childhood education, the importance of the parent/child bond, and the vital relationship between a child's emotional well being and the ability to learn.

Kindermusik’s philosophy is founded upon rigorous research and fundamental beliefs:

* Every parent is the child's most important teacher.
* Every child is musical.
* The home is the most important learning environment.
* Music nurtures a child's cognitive, emotional, social, language, and physical development.
* Every child should experience the joy, fun, and learning which music brings to life.

Kindermusik Village is for ages 4 to 18 months old and available to preview Thursday 9/29 at 11:15 am and Saturday October 1st at 11am.

Kindermusik Our Time is for ages 1.5 to 3 years old and available to preview Thursday 9/29 at 10:15 am.

To sign up for a trial class please call us at 818.380.3111 or email us at info@shopthehaven.com

You can also register for a free preview class using our online registration page!

To check out our class schedule and learn more about Kindermusik please visit our website.

Instructor Feature - An Interview with Danielle Brooks

We hope that you're enjoying finding out more about our incredible instructors at A Mother's Haven Boutique & Educational Center. We are so thankful to have them here to teach all of our moms & babies and to create our wonderful community!

Our next interview is with Danielle Brooks - our moms have the great experience of being with Danielle in our Mommy and Me or Mothers' Gathering classes, where we put together about 10 new moms with babies all born around the same time. Everyone's going through the same stages and issues, and the instructor educates and supports the whole group through the huge life change of raising a baby!

AMH: Danielle, what can new moms expect to learn or get from your Mothers' Gathering class?
Danielle: A Level of mindfulness in terms of their approach to motherhood and the massive adjustment it requires. Also understanding the developmental stages of sleeping, playing, feeding and allowing them to feel secure in making choices for the baby and bonding with other moms going through the same experience. It takes a village to raise a baby yet motherhood can be quite isolating. Here is the chance to create that village and foster relationships with other moms who can relate to exactly what you’re going through.

AMH: What is your philosophy on parenting?
Danielle: Attunement, Self awareness, being appropriately and emotionally responsive, and opening the door to creating space to follow a baby’s lead.

AMH: What made you decide to get into this field?
Danielle: I always knew I wanted to work with kids but after having my own daughters (Hailey, 5 and Summer, 2) and dealing with my own postpartum, I decided to focus on infants and their first year.

AMH: How would you describe yourself in 5 words or less?
Danielle: Passionate, committed, supportive, accepting and balanced.

AMH: What inspires you?
Danielle: Aside from my family, I’m inspired by the ability to help new moms find peace and joy during a time that is filled with anxiety and in a space they can feel reassured and supported. Motherhood requires constant adjustment so to be able provide a way for these women to embrace that change, as well as the tools to get over the hurdles is incredibly rewarding.

AMH: How do you stay current in your field?
Danielle: I listen to moms. When a new topic or health trend comes up I also consult with pediatricians and discuss it with colleagues I trust. I do online research too and stay up to date with recent books on any and all topics.

AMH: What products/resources would you recommend to new or expecting moms?
Danielle: The Ergo carrier for sure and a sling or wrap (for the newborn/early infant stage) since I find that some babies are not as comfortable with the infant insert.

AMH: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Danielle: That I played soccer in college.

AMH: Favorite hobby? pastime?
Danielle: Anything athletic or outdoors. I really enjoy being active.

AMH: Favorite spot in LA?
Danielle: The top point at Tree People (Hiking spot at Coldwater Canyon and Mulholland)

AMH: Favorite place to travel?
Danielle: Hawaii is a great place to travel with the kids especially for the beach and water. Without the kids, I enjoy going to Europe. Cordoba, Spain is one of my favorite places.

AMH: Favorite advice to give new/expecting moms?
Danielle: This too shall pass.


Danielle Brooks, M.F.T. is a committed leader in parent education and child development. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with her BS in Human Development and Masters in Clinical Psychology (with a specialization in children and adolescents). Danielle continues to deliver psychologically based information on cognitive, neurological, physical, emotional, social, and interpersonal development as a Clinician, Professor, Guest Lecturer, Mommy and Me Instructor, Parent Consultant, and Educational Consultant.

With over 14 years of professional experience working with children and families, Danielle strives to elevate new parents' abilities to be attuned and effective in how they relate to their children. As a mother of two, Danielle understands both personally and professionally the responsibilities parents have to maximize their children’s emotional health, desire to learn, motivation to be productive in society, create a strong sense of self, and engage in meaningful relationships. Being a Co-Founder for Parent Source solidifies Danielle’s passion and motivation to provide parents with informative and highly useful tools to become more effective as parents.

Check out some of our other Featured Instructor and Staff interviews:

Synthia Praglin - teaches Mothers' Gathering

Terri O'Donnell - Store Manager

Lauren Ryan - teaches Supported Birth and Caring For Your Newborn

Danielle Vorzimer - teaches Mothers' Gathering

Kara Rose Dragun - teaches Breastfeeding 101, Kindermusik and Tiny Dancer

Jill Campbell - teaches Mother's Gathering

Leslye Adelman - teaches the Prepared Childbirth One-Day Intensives, the Breastfeeding 101 prenatal workshops, and the Caring For Your Newborn prenatal workshops. She also facilitates our weekly Breastfeeding Support Group, and is available for private Lactation Consults

You can learn more on our website about the Mothers' Gathering classes that Danielle teaches, as well as read more about what moms who have taken the classes have to say. Also check out the cute photos of the graduating Mothers' Gathering classes in our Facebook album!

Mindful Parenting by Dr. Jill Campbell

Often as moms we end up getting a lot of unsolicited advice. This advice, although well intended, might conflict with our own instincts and intuition. I believe that as mothers, trusting our intuit has become an increasingly difficult thing to do. There is a lot of pressure today to be the “perfect” mom. We have this unrealistic image in our heads of this woman who always knows exactly what to say, what do to, who perfectly organizes and manages every detail of her family's life. In trying to live up to this idealized image in our heads, we often begin to lose who we truly are.

The reality, however, is that not only should we let go of the goal of perfectionism, but according to renowned author and professor, Jon Kabat-Zinn, “perfect is simply not relevant." He states that “what is important is that we be authentic, and that we honor our children and ourselves as best we can. Being present, paying attention, being true to yourself.” I believe that, if we let it, motherhood can become a spiritual journey. It is a practice that teaches and inspires us to look inward, and grow as individuals. Parenting mindfully means parenting consciously and with awareness of what the present moment requires. Mindful parenting helps us to be present and attuned to our child's inner world. In order to do this we need to become calm, balanced, and consistent with ourselves. One of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child is their full attention and validation.

Two wonderful books that I highly recommend on this subject are Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Buddhism for Mothers: A calm approach to caring for yourself and your children by Sarah Napthali.

Both books do a superb job of showing us how to really enjoy and embrace ourselves in the process of parenting, and how to see our children for who they really are. In Everyday Blessings, Kabat-Zinn tells us to try to imagine the world from your child's point of view, purposefully letting go of your own. He asks us to do this for a few minutes everyday to remind ourselves who this child is and what he or she faces in the world. It is really such a simple exercise, but extremely powerful at the same time. It instantly evokes empathy and understanding which takes us out of our own heads, and brings us right back to the present moment. It helps us to see the difference between our expectations of our children, and who they really are.

In Buddhism for Mothers, Sarah Napthali teaches us how to be aware of any tension building up in our bodies, and how to consciously release it. An exercise that can take just a moment to do, but completely centers and energizes us. It is from this place that we can begin to trust our instincts and intuition. It is from this place that all you need to parent lovingly and successfully comes to you.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jill Campbell, Psy.D. is a mother and a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in early child development.

Jill has worked with parents of infants and toddlers in private practice, and has also conducted workshops on a variety of child development topics for a group pediatric practice in Encino. She has been a guest speaker on different issues for preschools and moms clubs in the Los Angeles area, and currently leads mommy and me classes throughout the San Fernando Valley, including our very own Mothers' Gathering, which offers invaluable information, support & friendships for moms.

Dr. Campbell received her B.S. from Boston University in 1988, her M.A. from New York University in 1991, and her Psy.D. from Ryokan College in 1995. She completed her post-doctoral training at Cedars Sinai Early Childhood Center in Los Angeles and has received over 60 continuing ed credits in mindful meditation and spiritual psychology.

Caring For Your Newborn

Is the hospital staff really going to let you take this baby home? What can you really expect when bringing home baby? Learn the essential skills you need to take care of your new baby in this fun, informative, hands-on class!

You will be given information to help you physically care for a new baby, gain an understanding of newborn behavior and needs, and develop parental confidence. This class cover the following topics:

* Typical newborn eating and sleeping patterns
* Handling a newborn in the first few days/weeks
* Feeding
* Burping
* Diapering
* Bathing
* Changing clothes
* Swaddling
* Cord care
* Nail care
* Soothing a crying baby
* Illness - what to look for
* Care of the Mother
* Layette - what to buy
* Topics that are important to your family

This 3 hour class is held once a month on a Saturday afternoon from 2–5 pm.

The next sessions will be... Sept 24th, Oct 29th, Nov 19th, Dec 17th, Jan 21st, Feb 18th

Our convenient Encino location caters well to San Fernando valley residents, living in Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana and Woodland Hills. We are also central for residents of the Westside, Hollywood, Santa Monica, as well as Calabasas, Agoura, Glendale, and Pasadena.

Class size is limited to 6 couples. This small group size allows you to get your specific questions answered and the teacher to personalize the class to the couples' needs. Handouts and materials are provided.

Pre–registration required. You can register by stopping into the store, calling us at 818-380-3111, or signing up online on the Caring For Your Newborn registration page.

See our calendar of classes for the next dates of the Caring For Your Newborn Workshop.

As with all of the prenatal classes, we recommend that you take Caring For Your Newborn before your last month of pregnancy. So just in case baby comes early, you'll be prepared and already have all of the information and practice that you need. We look forward to seeing you soon! Feel free to call us at 818-380-3111 or email info@shopthehaven.com with any questions!

TESTIMONIALS

“I learned a lot - this Caring For Your Newborn class went above my expectations.”
Karen Hopkins

“This class was very informative in teaching new parents all the basics they need to know in preparing for their newborns.”
Sandra Whang

Instructor Feature - An Interview with Danielle Vorzimer, Psy.D

We hope that you're enjoying finding out more about our incredible instructors at A Mother's Haven Boutique & Educational Center. We are so thankful to have them here to teach all of our moms & babies and to create our wonderful community!

Our next interview is with Danielle Vorzimer - our moms have the great experience of being with Danielle in our Mommy and Me or Mothers' Gathering classes, where we put together about 10 new moms with babies all born around the same time. Everyone's going through the same stages and issues, and the instructor educates and supports the whole group through the huge life change of raising a baby!

AMH: Danielle, what can new moms expect to learn or get from your Mothers' Gathering class?
Danielle: Not only will they gather information and incredible support through other moms but they will also form invaluable friendships. This class creates an environment where new moms can share their experiences in a safe and understanding forum and they learn so much through that.

AMH: What is your philosophy on parenting?
Danielle: I’m a big believer in trial and error. Most questions don’t have a simple yes or no answer - at the end of the day, you’re gonna do what works for you and your child. I feel that parents are the real experts on their own children.

AMH: How would you describe yourself in 5 words or less?
Danielle: Committed, thoughtful, empathic, good listener... Actually, I was voted best listener in high school!

AMH: What inspires you?
Danielle: My family is my biggest source of inspiration. I feel incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful husband and 4 amazing children. (Ethan, age 1, and three teenage step-children with whom she has a very close relationship)

AMH: How do you stay current in your field?
Danielle: I continue to take classes, go to seminars, and read online articles especially from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychiatric Association, and LA County Psychiatric Association.

AMH: What products/resources would you recommend to new or expecting moms?
Danielle: There are so many products I use and recommend. I love the Ergo Baby Carrier! I use it every day. Dr. Brown Bottles are my favorite. The Motherlove nipple cream is fantastic and I absolutely adore the Aden + Anais lovies. I haven’t seen them anywhere else - I’m so excited we carry them. They’re so soft and breathable. I never have to worry about giving them to Ethan to play with.

AMH: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Danielle: That I have 3 teenage step-children and that we get along so well. (You wouldn’t think it, given that she looks like a college student herself!)

AMH: Favorite hobby? past-time?
Danielle: Yoga for sure! I also love hiking and walking, and I enjoy doing all those things with Ethan.

AMH: Favorite spot in LA?
Danielle: My house! (she says joking) Since I love hiking so much, I enjoy going to Runyon Canyon and Fryman too. I’ll just put Ethan in the Ergo Carrier and we’re off. I also love eating out at Katsu Ya in Encino!

AMH: Favorite place to travel?
Danielle: We just got back from Hawaii. It's a great place to visit with whole family - we went with all four kids. I had Ethan in the Ergo a lot when we were hiking. On the plane he spent a lot of time playing with his O-Ball and his favorite teether.

AMH: Best advice you've ever gotten?
Danielle: My mom would always say - Balance is the key to happy living.

AMH: Favorite advice to give new/expecting moms?
Danielle: I remind them to keep it light and fun... and to allow yourself to tolerate the unknown. And most importantly lean on other moms!


Danielle Vorzimer, Psy.D. earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University in 2010. Danielle received her B.A. in psychology from Indiana University in 2004 and her M.A. in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University in 2006. Danielle has several years of experience working with adults and children of all ages, including parents & infants, at the Child Development Institute in Woodland Hills, The Help Group in Sherman Oaks, and The Maple Counseling Center in Beverly Hills. Danielle has received a year of training facilitating Mindful Parenting groups with mothers and their babies, and has a special interest in Mindful Parenting theories. She also has experience researching parent-child interactions in the field of third party reproduction.

Check out some of our other Featured Instructor and Staff interviews:

Synthia Praglin - teaches Mothers' Gathering

Terri O'Donnell - Store Manager

Lauren Ryan - teaches Supported Birth and Caring For Your Newborn

Danielle Brooks - teaches Mothers' Gathering

Kara Rose Dragun - teaches Breastfeeding 101, Kindermusik and Tiny Dancer

Jill Campbell - teaches Mother's Gathering

Leslye Adelman - teaches the Prepared Childbirth One-Day Intensives, the Breastfeeding 101 prenatal workshops, and the Caring For Your Newborn prenatal workshops. She also facilitates our weekly Breastfeeding Support Group, and is available for private Lactation Consults

You can learn more on our website about the Mothers' Gathering classes that Danielle teaches, as well as read more about what moms who have taken the classes have to say. Also check out the cute photos of the graduating Mothers' Gathering classes in our Facebook album!

Infant & Toddler CPR and First Aid

We'd all like to think that we'll never be in a position of having to save our baby's life, but it could happen. Babies choke on food and toys, or slip under the water in the tub or a pool, or get caught in drawstrings and curtain cords. If your baby is ever choking or suddenly lifeless, you would want to know what to do!

Although you might be able to find some tips on the internet, these techniques differ depending on the age of the child, and doing them improperly can possibly be harmful, so it's important to set aside a few hours to take an infant and child CPR course in your area, to learn and practice the proper techniques. If you live in Los Angeles, whether in the San Fernando Valley, the Westside, or even Burbank, Pasadena, or Glendale, we have the class for you.

At A Mother's Haven, our Infant and Toddler CPR and First Aid class will show you just what to do in those situations. We offer the “Save a Little Life” course at our Encino location about once a month throughout the year. The course is also offered in Spanish about every other month. We highly recommend that all parents, grandparents, and caregivers attend this potentially life-saving course. You can either take the class while you are pregnant, or after your baby is born (come to class without your baby though, so that you can really focus your attention on learning the techniques).

CPR & First Aid
Saturday Workshop, 2-5pm
Sept 10th, Oct 8th, Nov 5th, Dec 3rd

Spanish Version
Saturday Workshop, 2-5pm
Oct 1st, Dec 17th

To register for Infant CPR, you can call us at 818-380-3111 or use the online registration pages for CPR in English (couple), CPR in English (one person), or Spanish CPR.

For more information about all of our classes, please visit our website.

Infant Massage Workshop - Sunday, September 11th

Connect with your new baby through touch and massage!

Infant massage has been shown to...
-Reduce colic & digestion issues
-Promote better sleep patterns
-Improve baby's muscle tone & body awareness
-Increase parent-baby bonding & attachment

In our Infant Massage workshop, you'll learn a full-body massage for your baby, as well as specific strokes to use for colic, teething, brain development, and more! Bring your pre-crawling baby - we provide the massage oil and a handbook of techniques.

Our next workshop is... Sunday, September 11th from 12-1:30pm

Call us at 818-380-3111 or use the links below to register!

Online registration for baby & one adult - $45
Online registration for baby & two adults - $75

If you're reading this blog post after Sept 11th, 2011, check out our main Infant Massage webpage to find out when the next class will be held!

Sign Language for Babies

Sign language is a great way to help you communicate with your pre-verbal baby. It helps babies that are ready to communicate, but can’t quite bridge the gap to full speech yet. Imagine how your life would be different if your baby could tell you what he or she is thinking!

Signing with babies has numerous benefits - not to mention, it's a lot of fun and helps you bond with your child. Babies that sign are often less fussy because they're able to communicate what they want in ways other than crying. Research also shows that babies that utilize sign language get a great start in life – with increased vocabularies and more advanced cognitive skills, even years after they have stopped signing.

Our Sign Language for Babies (SLFB): a 6-week interactive series includes:

* An overview of language development
* Over 50 American Sign Language (ASL) signs
* Easy ways to incorporate signing into your daily routine
* Fun songs and activities to facilitate the learning of signs
* Take home reference materials

Saturdays 10:30am - starts September 10th
Class Dates: Sept 10th, Sept 17th, Oct 1st, Oct 8th, Oct 22nd, & Oct 29th

Mondays 10:30am - starts September 12th
Class Dates: Sept 12th, Sept 19th, Oct 3rd, Oct 10th, Oct 24th, & Oct 31st

Please call 818-380-3111 to reserve your space in our next session or sign up on the online registration page.

Or if you still have any questions (When should I start signing with my baby? Will signing delay my baby's speech? etc), check out the Sign Language Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

If you're reading this blog post after September 2011, check our main Sign Language for Babies webpage for information about when we'll be holding the next class session.

Instructor Feature - An Interview with Kara Rose Dragun

We hope that you're enjoying learning more about our different instructors who teach prenatal classes, mommy&me groups, baby music classes, and a variety of workshops and sessions we do here at A Mother's Haven Boutique & Educational Center.

Our next interview is with Kara Rose Dragun, CLC - who is not only a lactation consultant that teaches our Breastfeeding 101 workshops, but is also our beloved Kindermusik and Tiny Dancer instructor. Both of these early childhood enrichment classes stimulate a baby's growth in all areas of development through music and dance while deepening the bond and communication the baby shares with his/her parents.

AMH: Kara, what can new moms expect to learn from your classes?
Kara: The Breastfeeding 101 workshops provide a way to Learn about the anatomy and physiology of breastmilk production, proper positioning, and different strategies to use should various problems arise. In the Kindermusik and Tiny Dancer classes, parents will get a sense of community. These classes are geared toward early development and movement where the parents can incorporate these tools into their everyday routine using music as a way to bond with their child.

AMH: How did you decide to get into this field?
Kara: Given my musical theatre background and my love for kids, I decided to get my Kindermusik license to help parents bond with their children through music and movement. After giving birth to Keegan, like many new moms, I found myself struggling with breastfeeding. I didn’t want other moms to have to go through the same hurdles and frustrations I had to overcome so I decided to become a lactation consultant as well.

AMH: What is your philosophy on parenting?
Kara: I believe in organic parenting - by that I mean, taking the situation as it comes. Letting your child lead when it comes to their development without too many limitations empowers them to try new things at their own pace. It doesn’t mean letting them do things that could be potentially dangerous, but rather allowing some space as a wonderful way for self discovery.

AMH: How would you describe yourself in 5 words or less?
Kara: I’m pretty easy going, dependable... I’m usually the “mother” in every situation - with both friends and family. I guess you could say I’m a care-taker.

AMH: What inspires you? What drives you?
Kara: My kids (Keegan and Ainsley) are my biggest source of inspiration, but I also take a lot from nature and music. I like exposing myself to a variety of music - my tastes are pretty eclectic.

AMH: How do you stay current in your field?
Kara: I read everything I can get my hands on - books, websites - anything relating to music, early childhood development, or lactation. As far as lactation, I still breastfeed Ainsley so I’m very proactive about it. I also take part in various mom and educator boards, and I’m always talking to parents about the latest trends, issues, and concerns.

AMH: What products/resources would you recommend to new or expecting moms?
Kara: I absolutely love the Moby Wrap Carrier. I still use it with Ainsley. It’s so diverse - you can use it in such a vast variety of positions. The kids in my class are also obsessed with the colorful scarves we have here. They’re so vibrant and help identify object permanence because they are translucent and the kids can see through them.

AMH: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Kara: That I grew up across the bottom 48 states. I moved around a lot as a child and my brother who is 10 years younger than me only really grew up in one place so growing up it almost felt like we had very different lives.

AMH: Favorite hobby? past-time?
Kara: I enjoy doing everything with the kids. We take all sorts of day trips - to the zoo, museums, farmers markets, etc. I really just enjoy having family time with them and my husband.

AMH: Favorite spot in LA?
Kara: We love going to Griffith Park. I hike with Ainsley in the Moby Wrap and my hands are free!

AMH: Best advice you've ever gotten that you like to share with new moms?
Kara: This is something that I still get repeatedly from my mom, aunts, and grandma - Take all the advice people give you through one ear, filter it out through the other ear, and apply what works for you. No sense in driving yourself crazy with other people’s idea of perfection. Do what feels right to you.


Kara Rose Dragun obtained her Certified Lactation Consultant training from UCSD Online and has been helping moms triumph over any breastfeeding obstacles that come their way. A second time mom now with daughter Ainsley (9 months), Kara is finally enjoying this unique opportunity to bond with her daughter through breastfeeding.

Much like her young students, Kara has also been a mover and shaker since the tender age of 3. Her love of music and dance eventually led to her obtaining her BFA in Musical Theatre from Western Michigan University and ultimately moving to Los Angeles to seek a career in musical theatre. After her son Keegan (age 4) was born, she found her musical aspirations evolving into working with children and helping them thrive developmentally through music and movement. She received her Kindermusik license and has been helping parents bond with their children through the magic of sound and rhythmic motions ever since.

You can learn more about our Early Enrichment classes such as Kindermusik and Tiny Dancer on our website. Also, for more information on breastfeeding and lactation, feel free to check out our Breastfeeding 101 workshops.

Check out some of our other Featured Instructor and Staff interviews:

Synthia Praglin - teaches Mothers' Gathering

Terri O'Donnell - Store Manager

Lauren Ryan - teaches Supported Birth and Caring For Your Newborn

Danielle Brooks - teaches Mothers' Gathering

Danielle Vorzimer - teaches Mothers' Gathering

Jill Campbell - teaches Mother's Gathering